BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said modernization and regularization in the air force should be accelerated to build a stronger military.

Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, told troops to speed up airspace integration and sharpen their offensive and defensive capabilities while inspecting the air force's command headquarters.

During the visit, the president said efforts should not slacken in the search for the missing Malaysian plane MH370 while debriefing airmen in the mission via video link.

As a strategic military service, the air force plays a vital role in safeguarding national security, Xi said, urging the army to strengthen exercises and be prepared for combat, so as to quickly respond to emergencies.

He called on military leaders to run the military in accordance with the law and enforce strict discipline to improve scientific management of troops.

The Party's absolute leadership over troops should be unswervingly stuck to, Xi said.

He also urged further implementation of the "mass line" campaign in the army, which is targeted at cleaning up undesirable work styles -- formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance.